Urinary incontinence in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: urodynamic findings and therapeutic perspectives

Objective: The present study was a urodynamic evaluation of schizophrenic patients with urinary incontinence occurring during treatment with atypical antipsychotics. Methods: A total of 12 schizophrenic patients (mean age = 30.7 years, SD = 6.5) presenting urinary incontinence during treatment with atypical antipsychotics at stable doses underwent urodynamic evaluations. Clinical assessment included the administration of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results: Four patients out of 12 presented urodynamic patterns consistent with an overactive bladder, while five patients presented reduced bladder compliance; only three patients showed normal urodynamic patterns. Conclusion: Detrusor overactivity is a condition associated with urinary incontinence in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Urodynamic evaluations can improve our knowledge of the mechanisms that subtend atypical antipsychotic-induced incontinence, an invalidating side-effect with strong repercussion on compliance and rehabilitation in schizophrenic patients